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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Zephaniah 3:17
“The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Oh, that’s where that chorus comes from.
How often we sing hymns and choruses and yet have no idea that we are singing Scripture. But when we have, how much more meaningful and exciting they become.
In this chapter, Zephaniah turns his attention to Jerusalem. He recognises “She obeys no one, she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the Lord, she does not draw near to her God” (v 2). Isn’t it sad?
Despite all the good King Josiah brought about, the people still returned to their old habits and the next 3 kings all “did evil in the sight of the Lord”. It’s a personal choice, of course, as we saw yesterday. I can’t be meek, humble and righteous for you or anyone else. It is a personal choice we each have to make.
Obedience is almost a dirty word today – especially for those living in democratic states. We have promoted the role and position of the individual to the point that each becomes his own master and god. The laws of the land are there to be broken or bent, whether they are motoring speed laws, tax laws or ‘social’ laws. If ‘we’ don’t like them, ‘society’ will eventually change them to suit us, especially if there is a militant minority group who wants to get rid of them.
God ‘tells’ Judah and Jerusalem that they should look around them. God gives ample warning and examples of what happens if we neglect Him and reject His righteous commands, which are established for our benefit. We have been warned.
God then says, “I will remove from this city those who rejoice in their pride. Never again will you be haughty on My Holy Hill” (v 11). Pride still comes before a fall (see Proverbs 16:18) and “He who exalts himself will be humbled” (Matthew 23:12). It’s another ‘Ring of Truth’!
But, “I will leave within you the meek and humble, who trust in the Name of the Lord” (v 12). God always has His remnant. Even when Elijah thought he was the only one left, God told him that He had a “reserve [of] 7,000” (1 Kings 19:18).
Then Zephaniah bursts into a song of deliverance and praise. Yes, there is a promise of Divine retribution against evil and wickedness – there still is – BUT for those who are “meek and humble” and who seek God’s face and “trust in the Name of the Lord” – there is security and salvation. We may have to endure persecution and hardship in the short-term but “our eyes (are fixed) on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2-3) and His Glorious Return, and the New Heaven and the New Earth.
So we come back to our verse. It’s God’s promise to you today - and every day for that matter.
“The Lord, your God is with you” (v17). Isn’t that terrific? No, you are not alone. He is beside you. He is mighty to save. No matter what you are going through or will go through – He is able to save. More than that, He is mighty to save. Nothing is beyond His capability.
Listen, more than that, He delights in you. Yes, you. God takes great delight in you. (See also Jude 24.) No, He is not ashamed of us – He delights in us. HE will quiet you with His love. He loves you. Relax in that love today. (See also Psalm 23.)
Take a deep breath and say, “Thank You, Lord Jesus.”
Over and above all these, He rejoices “over YOU with singing”. Can you believe it? Let it soak down into your spirit this morning. He rejoices over you with singing.
Yes, He does. His Word says so.
In response, doesn’t it cause you to burst into spontaneous rejoicing and jubilant singing back to Him?
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